Boarding Process

[bocatraveler09]

I have read on other forums that Oceania has a boarding process that prevents those without "upper end" cabins from boarding until late in the afternoon. I'd appreciate any info about that, specifically relating to the Marina.

Thank you.

[TERRIER1]

We have been in lower end cabins on 3 R ships voyages and on the Marina this past May. For the 3 voyages that left from European ports we boarded at noon. We had lunch in the Terrace Cafe but could not access our cabins until about 2 pm or 3 pm. I believe the upper cabins have earlier access to their cabins.

 

The one voyage through the Panama Canal boarded in Miami. All of us had to sit in a large holding area and we boarded later about 2 pm. I think this is a Miami port thing having nothing to do with the cruise line.

[LHT28]

The cruise documents tell you when you can board but some people still tend to show up at 11 am even though boarding is stated 2pm or 3pm for the lower Categories

Sometimes they will let you board earlier maybe 1pm but sometimes not

Amsterdam we had to wait until 3pm other time we have gotten on at 2 pm

We tend not to show up too early then there is no disappointment

US ports you must be onboard 90 min prior to sail away so they do tend to allow you onboard earlier

[CintiPam]

The latest boarding time for European cruises is 3 PM; we usually arrive around 3:15 or 3:30 PM to enjoy our embarkation city as long as possible. There never is any line at all then, so the rest of us non-upper-enders must be getting on a lot earlier.

[Mura]

It does depend on who is arriving when.

 

I have escorted lower cabin people in with us with no problem -- I didn't do it deliberately (this was back in Nov 2005), I assumed they could go up and no one stopped them. Or us.

 

When we boarded the ship for last year's Norway cruise we had lunch with a couple who were on a Deck 6 cabin and they had no problem boarding (although the couple they were travelling with DID). Apparently the cut-off point was inbetween the two.

 

It's really a question of how many people are up in the restaurant having lunch.

 

The suite cabins will be ready first, but that doesn't mean you can't board. OTOH, if there is a log jam, they will make you wait.

 

It's really hard to make a definite answer to the question.

[jtamchay]

As first time Oceania passengers we were not sure what to expect. The embarkation process was the fastest we have ever encountered. It was a smooth operation from the moment we exited out taxi in Stockholm.

Luggage was immediately removed and the security check point was efficient. The hand luggage scan was fine and we were onboard the ship in about 10 minutes...11:10AM

The Insignia Lounge registration took just minutes as well and we were directed to the Terrace for lunch. We received a letter detailing the time our cabin would be available. The crowding of the Terrace for lunch was problematic due to rain.

Promptly at 1PM we were given access to our cabin.

Our luggage had not arrived. We took this time to acquaint ourselves with the ship. By 3PM our luggage was in the hallway outside the door and very quickly we were able to unpack and get settled in.

Pleasantly surprised by this very efficient embarkation.

[Benita]

When we have been on the smaller ships-R class, there was never a problem. On our recent Marina cruise, boarding in Copenhagen was not fun. Our document time stated noon - we were in a PH. Our friends were in a non-conceirge cabin and their said 3pm. They came to the pier and boarded around 3pm, with no waits. We got to the pier at about 12:15 and were given a number. We were told it was the next group that would be called. For us, it was easy, but looking around the room, there had to be about 300 people, many more people than chairs, waiting their turn. I met up with some at lunch, who said everytime a number was called, it was a free for all, with crowding and people falling over eachothers carryons. I guess they did not take the boarding times seriously and with 1200 passengers, it was not like too many exceptions could be made. So, in answer to your question, I would not plan on arriving earlier than your boarding time.

[Senior Citizen]

When we have been on the smaller ships-R class, there was never a problem. On our recent Marina cruise, boarding in Copenhagen was not fun. Our document time stated noon - we were in a PH. Our friends were in a non-conceirge cabin and their said 3pm. They came to the pier and boarded around 3pm, with no waits. We got to the pier at about 12:15 and were given a number. We were told it was the next group that would be called. For us, it was easy, but looking around the room, there had to be about 300 people, many more people than chairs, waiting their turn. I met up with some at lunch, who said everytime a number was called, it was a free for all, with crowding and people falling over eachothers carryons. I guess they did not take the boarding times seriously and with 1200 passengers, it was not like too many exceptions could be made. So, in answer to your question, I would not plan on arriving earlier than your boarding time.

 

I'm hoping the boarding in Copenhagen was an exception. We have been on all the R ships multiple times and this was our second cruise on Marina. The boarding in Copenhagen was a mess. We've never seen such disorganization from O before. We were all in a tent, sitting (if you could get a seat) on a plastic or metal chair. It reminded me of boarding a huge Carnival ship in Miami (a mistake never to be repeated). People were given colored cards that had numbers. When colors were called out, people were asking "Did they just call white 3?" Actually, I think they were just calling colors and not numbers so the cards being numbered was confusing. It was hard to hear what colors or numbers they were calling because so many people were in the tent---talking, pulling their rollerboards, etc. It was a boarding process you would expect from the mass market lines, not Oceania!!

[CintiPam]

Sorry to hear about your Copenhagen boarding problems. We arrived at 3:15 PM on June 11 for our Marina Copenhagen to Stockholm cruise 3 PM boarding time and had absolutely no wait at all. We immediately left our carry-on luggage in the cabin and enjoyed a late lunch in the Terrace Cafe.

[RetiredFL]

We have always boarded early in regular category on European cruises (R ships) but there is no guarantee. We were in concierge class, for once, out of Beijing and the port authorities would let no one, not even suites, board until 5pm.

Each port is different.

They will take your luggage early even if you do not board so some people drop off their luggage and then do some sightseeing until time to board. Works best if you have minimal carry on!

Remember in foreign cities people are arriving by plane at all times so the boarding times are somewhat moot as it does not matter if you have early boarding if you flight doesn't land until 4pm. That is probably the reason Oceania doesn't stick to the boarding times unless the port instructs otherwise.

Get to the ship when it is convenient for you and see what happens.

[chester8]

I have read on other forums that Oceania has a boarding process that prevents those without "upper end" cabins from boarding until late in the afternoon. I'd appreciate any info about that, specifically relating to the Marina.

Thank you.

I had a lower end cabin in Marina and was able to be onboard in Dover and having lunch in the Terrace at about 12pm.

[JimandStan]

I had a lower end cabin in Marina and was able to be onboard in Dover and having lunch in the Terrace at about 12pm.

 

It seems to me that since we are now able to make Specialty Restaurant reservations online in advance, that the frenzy to board "early" has cooled considerably.

At any rate, it has for us.

[wripro]

I agree, JimandStan. The only real reason to board early previously was to get those reservations.

[RetiredFL]

I disagree. Most hotels want you out by 11am at the latest. Lots of flights get into European cities in the early morning. I would rather not sit around the dock for 3-4 hours to board. It is nice to get to the ship and have lunch even if the cabins are not ready.

We have never "run" to make our specialty restaurant reservations and usually get what we want although we are early diners so that may help. We are also flexible and rarely dine in the speciality restaurants more than once as the GDR is so good.

Life is too short to worry about such things!:D

[JimandStan]

I disagree. Most hotels want you out by 11am at the latest. Lots of flights get into European cities in the early morning. I would rather not sit around the dock for 3-4 hours to board. It is nice to get to the ship and have lunch even if the cabins are not ready.

We have never "run" to make our specialty restaurant reservations and usually get what we want although we are early diners so that may help. We are also flexible and rarely dine in the speciality restaurants more than once as the GDR is so good.

Life is too short to worry about such things!:D

 

I'm afraid that you may have misunderstood the post that you seem to disagree with.

 

What I was trying to convey was that those of us who book Suites no longer prize the early embarkation as much as we did when one had to be physically on the ship to make a restaurant reservation.

 

Therefore, the "early" traffic seems to be less, which gives those in the standard cabins a better chance to get on the ship and have that much prized luncheon.

[Rickey 88]

Even though Oceania documentation states when and to whom the boarding sequence applies, we have found over the years that each and every port and boarding process will be different.

 

Often the process goes ever so smoothly as the arriving passengers come in evenly spaced groups. At those times, passengers who are in the later groups are booked in, even though they are early. Since the rooms are never ready until at least 2 pm, so most head for lunch and await their call.

 

However, and this has only been rarely, problems do occur - untrained shore personnel, slow computer communication with the ship, far too many people showing up at the same time, etc. etc.

 

So as to say that Oceania has a boarding process that "favors" the upper end of cabin is not really accurate.

[LHT28]

Most hotels will store your bags until you are ready to head to the port

We usually do that then go sightseeing till after lunch then go pick up our bags then head to the port

Then DH is not getting grumpy before boarding because we have to sit in a hot stuffy building :eek:

 

But whatever works best for you

There are always options

 

Lyn

[CanadianTom]

Hello: I boarded early on a cruise(can't remember if it was oceania, but I think it was) because of cabin selection and I asked why they were not letting the others board. The answer I received was," To allow those in expensive cabins/suites to enjoy a quiet, restful lunch. Since most people run to the buffet and sit too long waiting for their cabin to open." It sounded good to me at the time, at least it did seem logical. CanadianTom

[Dmgmd50]

Most hotels will store your bags until you are ready to head to the port

We usually do that then go sightseeing till after lunch then go pick up our bags then head to the port

 

Lyn

 

We will be boarding in Venice. Our plane arrives at 11 AM the day we can board so there is no hotel to hold our luggage. We plan to go directly to the pier. Even if we can't board, will they take our luggage so that we can go sightseeing in Venice rather than wait in a tent (or terminal) to board ? The ship overnights in Venice so we don't actually sail until the next evening.

[Mura]

Yes.

[JimandStan]

We will be boarding in Venice. Our plane arrives at 11 AM the day we can board so there is no hotel to hold our luggage. We plan to go directly to the pier. Even if we can't board, will they take our luggage so that we can go sightseeing in Venice rather than wait in a tent (or terminal) to board ? The ship overnights in Venice so we don't actually sail until the next evening.

 

Yes, they will take your luggage when you get to the pier (just make sure that you put your Oceania luggage tags on when you claim your luggage at the airport).

It should be noted, however, that dependent on the level of security being exercised at the pier on that day, you may not have the option of leaving the pier without checking in. I'm not saying that you have to wait to get onto the ship, but that you may be asked to register your credit card and passport before leaving the area.

[orchestrapal]

We will be boarding in Venice. Our plane arrives at 11 AM the day we can board so there is no hotel to hold our luggage. We plan to go directly to the pier. Even if we can't board, will they take our luggage so that we can go sightseeing in Venice rather than wait in a tent (or terminal) to board ? The ship overnights in Venice so we don't actually sail until the next evening.

 

We've done this twice with no problems, walked returned for lunch and set out again. Enjoy Venice.:)